Gulf Islands National Seashore

Getting to the Park

Divided into two major districts (Florida and Mississippi), the park covers 137,458 acres, with more than 80% as submerged lands. The barrier islands are the outstanding feature to most who visit, but the park also includes parts of bays, sounds, and a few mainland sites. There are no park units in the thin stretch of Alabama that reaches into the gulf on the west and east sides of Mobile Bay.

There are many options for travel within the park. Roadways connect the six separate geographic locations in Florida. A passenger ferry service from Gulfport to West Ship Island operates from March through October in Mississippi.

Visiting the Mississippi District:
The park visitor center on the mainland is located in the Davis Bayou area of Ocean Springs. Follow the signs for Gulf Islands National Seashore along I-10 and US 90.The islands in the Mississippi District are about 10 miles offshore and can be reached only by boat. During the spring, summer, and fall, excursion boat trips from Gulfport to West Ship Island are offered by a concessioner. Call 228-864-1014 for information, as the schedules vary by season.

Information about boats licensed to carry passengers to the wilderness islands (East Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois) is available at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center at Davis Bayou.

Visiting the Florida District:
To reach the historic mainland forts and the National Museum of Naval Aviation, use the main entrance of Pensacola Naval Air Station about a mile south of Barrancas Avenue (FL 292) on Navy Boulevard (FL 295). FL 292 leads southwest from Pensacola to the Perdido Key Area. On the island turn left onto Johnson Beach Road. 

To get to the Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens, and Santa Rosa areas, take US 98 east from Pensacola. The Naval Like Oaks Area is just east of Gulf Breeze on US 98. Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa can be reached via FL 399 from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach. From there, Fort Pickens is 9 miles west, while the Santa Rosa area is 10 miles east. The Okaloosa Area is on US 98 east of Fort Walton Beach. 

Visitor Centers:

Florida
Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center
850-934-2600

Fort Pickens Visitor Center
850-934-2635

Fort Barrancas Visitor Center
850-455-5167

Mississippi
William M. Colmer Visitor Center
228-875-0074

Gulf Islands National Seashore
General Information	Lodging in the Park
Getting to the Park	Photographs and Maps
Camping	Nearby National Parks, Forests & Scenic Roads
Educational Opportunities	Things to Do
History	Travel & Tourism Offices
Jobs and Volunteering	Weather